The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1887-09-11
LOST IN THE SWAMP.
1sntlng Slnner Ducks Under Great
Di@caltiee.
sHrhey ~ Ge.sIenss. and I Very
Mseh noubt They are, They
VIII bend for U.s."

clear, ana the sun IN que Time maze
Its appearance above the tall cypress
Just In time to shed its refulgent rays
upon the little craft that contained
two hunters bound for the west bank
Of wsponoca lake. The motive power
used on this occasion was their vala
de coon. who, when at home, was
known by the euphons Gus cognomen
Of "Parson George" In the bow Of
this little bsrque sat an individual
well known TO the sp orting world as
gentleman Of the highest type, q
thorough sportsman and splendid
companion, and always goes a. b. n.
With a gun. Across his lap lay his
trusty fowling piece--s nine pound
No. IL Scott hsmmerlees, out OF which
he shoots fur and hsh drachms OF
Orange duckinr powder and one and
one. quarter ounces No. 5 chilled shot.
His companion rat Just behind him
toying with his ton pound No. 10 Smith
hammerless, which made the "welkin
ring" when he turned loose the FIVE
drschm3 OF powder and one and one
quarter ounces OF shot with which
he fed II. He amused hi, friend In
front by relating some thrilling sd.
ventures which occurred to him on
the deep blue sea" during his early
manhood, and when q rest was reached
In his narrative would remove bis gold
spects cles 10 wipe the perspiration
from bis auburn brow. Behind came
the "psrson," and ss he plowed
through that two inches Of water and
three feet OF mud, "try'n' TO get de
gen'men whar dey wanted 10 Co." one
sould plainly see, by the expression
on his face, that be had not struck the
funny part Of the expedition, but that
u would have been infaitely more In
tercsting 10 him had he remained at
home. As they nesred the island
their conversation ceased, and by
their intense gazing they might
have been taken for real estate men
trying 10 fnd corner lots upon which
TO place their shingles, or insurance
adjusters looking for salvage on the
ruins OF ginhouse; but this was not
the case, they were looking for game.
They found none, oxever, and had
TO continue their march 10 the head OF
the lake, q distance OF one mile and q
half. This point they reached at 10
o'clock m, and M q street car mule |
lays himse down 10 rest afier having |
done duty for Mound concert, 20 also |
did These gentlemen drop their pad.
dies and guns and tpread themselves
81 full length upon the marshy grsss,
while their attendant passed around
refreshments with which 10 strengthen
the inner man. Thus did they rest,
unmindful OF the danger they were In
by having invsded the abode Of the
eoiton-mouth and moccasin snake,
until the evening fight came on.
Their success was fairly good, and
after having bagged twenty summer
ducks, and the Gun having ditap.
pssred behird the trees, they were
forcibly reminded that II was time 10
star, for the clubhouse. They In.
structed the "parson" 10 return alone
with the boat and await their arrival
inst above the duck pond, where
Mesn. J. and p. were shooting, and
they would walk back through the
swamp and woods. This they a.
10 do, and after having wan.
dered abont Tor an hour rame directly
upon the place they hsd left, Just ss
he last streak al day disappeared.
They stood motionles,; they looked Mt
zach other In amusement; they fred
% their guns In one. two, three order;
they yelled until their threats were
sore, and then thev-well, never mind
what else they did or said. Let us
leave them for few moments and pay
our attention 10 other members OF the
party. Two Of them being overcome by
shallow wsierisnd deem mud. and not
having the staying qualities Of old vet.
Grams, had returned 10 the club houre
eerly Ina the day n lay Pipe for the
coming boom In real estate aud the
succe--ful clgslng Of the cotton crop.
The other two, accompanied by their
paddlerr, were seated In the high grsss
Inst above thu "dpck pond" awaiting
The return Of their companions and
their empty boat. As soon ~ the
"parson" arrived and hls game vas
counted. which showed twenty, one
u the SILENT watchers quietly lifted
bur ducks from the boat OF his friend
md added them 10 his own bag, which
rnAhled him 10 oouni more alone than
both Of the Last once together. This
was hard, but stuck to sufficiently
strong 10 mako Il take IA the dark.
ness greg thickar and thew "wondered
vhs, had become Of los, friends" the
hint souud Of guns In ono, two, three
order csused tho club keeper 10 70.
mark:
They are lost In tho swamp and
going directly away from us. Fire "a
your CONS, gentlemen, and keep II mp,
and ! will 20 10 their rescue"
hniting the action 10 the word, he
ssiE'd his gun and went flaming
through the marsh and cypresa, with
nothing bot the ttaru 10 guide him.
Again ve heard their puas and again
We answered, and when convinced
they were safe left q boat for them and
started back 10 the club honse.
hesied on log In q "cyprers break"
worn out with fstisue, ard almost OF
hauHed Tor waut Of water, they had
resigned themselves 10 their fate and
expected 10 be food for Wild animals
before morning. In this hour Of die
tress they made a final effort 10 be
heard. The gentlemsa with the
golden apectsolss held hls ten pound
quo aloit, and ~ he fred both barrels
10 iapid euocNsion, was heard 10 10.
marx:
" II they be gentlemen, and I very
much doubt they are. they will suraly
snswer our signals and send some one
70 cur rescue"
And 30 they have" remarked the
club keeper, ~ he stepped from be.
hind tree iust Ia time 10 see them
gIasp each other and say s,methins
about "halr raislng"a, the noise mIde
by him.
There was q hand shaking In the
thick dsfknssa, and a, tho prooesplon
moved homesard the man with the
new Scott gun would frequently 70.
mark:
This IL the vay long have sousht.
And incurred hecaufe 1 found u not"